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The Increasing Variety of Reduced-Fat Products With Fat Replacers

The following matrix illustrates which fat replacers are used, or may be used in the future, in major food categories. Note that in some cases the fat replacer may be the only ingredient necessary to achieve the desired function, while in other cases, a combination of ingredients (e.g., one or more fat replacers, bulking agents and/or low-calorie sweeteners) may be necessary. Also, fat replacers will have varying degrees of success, depending on the specific product application.

Fat Replacers
Food CategoryCarbohydrate-BasedProtein-BasedFat-Based
Milk/Dairy-Type Products
(e.g., beverages, cheese,
sour cream, yogurt)
cellulose, gums, inulin, maltodextrins, maltose, oatrim, polydextrose, starchesmicroparticulated protein, modified whey protein
concentrate, other protein ingredients
emulsifiers, olestra*
Refrigerated/Frozen Desserts
(e.g., ice cream, puddings,
fillings, cheesecakes)
cellulose, gums, inulin, maltodextrins, oatrim, polydextrose, starchesmicroparticulated protein, modified whey protein
concentrate, protein blends, other protein ingredients
emulsifiers,
salatrim, olestra*,
other lipid (fat/oil)
analogs*
Meat/Poultry Productsgums, inulin, maltodextrins, oatrim, starchesolestra*, other lipid (fat/oil) analogs* (fried foods)
Fish/Shellfish Productsolestra*, other lipid (fat/oil)
analogs* (fried foods)
Cooking/Salad Oils
(e.g., used in cooking, frying,
baking, on salads)
microparticulated protein (salad oil)olestra*, other lipid (fat/oil)
analogs*
Other Fats and Oils
(e.g., margarine, pourable
dressings, mayonnaise, and
other spreads)
cellulose, gelatin, gums, inulin, maltodextrins, oatrim,
polydextrose, starches
microparticulated protein, protein blends, other protein ingredientsemulsifiers, salatrim,
olestra*, other lipid (fat/oil)
analogs*
Soups/Sauces/Graviescellullose, gums, inulin, maltodextrins, oatrim, starchesmicroparticulated protein, modified whey protein concentrateemulsifiers, olestra*, other lipid (fat/oil) analogs*
Cereals/Grain Products
(e.g., crackers, muffins, breads)
gums, fiber, inulin, maltodextrins, starchesmicroparticulated proteinemulsifiers, olestra (crackers), other lipid (fat/oil) analogs*
Confectionery & Candiescellulose, crystalline fructose, gums, inulin, maltodextrins, oatrim, polydextrose, polyols, starchesmicroparticulated proteincaprenin, emulsifiers, olestra*, salatrim, other lipid (fat/oil) analogs*
Baked Desserts
(e.g., pizza, casseroles,
microwaveable frozen meals)
celllulose, fiber, gums, inulin, maltodextrins, maltose, oatrim, polydextrose, polyols, starchesmicroparticulated protein, protein blends, modified whey protein concentrateemulsifiers, olestra*, salatrim, other lipid (fat/oil) analogs*
Prepared Entrees
(e.g., pizza, casseroles,
microwaveable frozen meals)
ccellulose, gums, inulin, maltodextrins, oatrim, polydextrose, starchesmicroparticulated protein, modified whey protein concentrateemulsifiers, olestra*, other lipid (fat/oil)
analogs*
Savory Snacks
(e.g., chips, pretzels, popcorn,
puffs)
cellulose, fiber, gums, maltodextrins, maltose, starchesolestra, other lipid (fat/oil) analogs*

*Currently not available for use.

faq2Do you have questions about low-calorie sweeteners? Want to learn more about maintaining a healthy lifestyle? You asked and we listened. Our resident Registered Dietitians answered the most popular questions about low-calorie sweeteners.

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